Independent environmental advisory panel

As well as environmental considerations, the IEAP will take into account the social and economic consequences of any advice they offer, including the impact they may have on ‘affordability’ of any investments Dŵr Cymru makes as a result of such advice.

Member organisations of the IEAP are from a number of front line environmental organisations in Wales and England. The IEAP members also include leading academics from England and Wales, to support the scientific capability of Dŵr Cymru and thus ensure every pound of its customer’s money is invested to deliver best value.

The IEAP members represent the views of their organisations, independently from Dŵr Cymru.

The IEAP is not intended to be a ‘closed’ or ‘exclusive club’. Individuals and organisations not on the Panel may raise an environmental related issue for discussion with the Chair. Experts outside of the IEAP member organisations will be invited to contribute to specific matters as required. The IEAP will also set up ‘Task and Finish Groups’ to assist with more technical issues.

Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference for the Panel is available to view here. It was agreed by all members and was formally adopted in November 2012. It is subject to an annual review by the Panel.

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct has also been agreed and adopted by the Panel alongside its Terms of Reference. The Code of Conduct provides a framework of which members and observers of the IEAP are required to adhere to. This will ensure that they feel able to engage in frank and open discussion and share views and information. The Code of Conduct is available to view here.

Role of the IEAP

Members of the IEAP will work together with Dŵr Cymru and share environmental expertise and knowledge to deliver the following:

• To contribute to Dŵr Cymru's capital investment planning process by offering opinion and guidance. These should, consequently, drive costs down for customers and ensure that Dŵr Cymru remains on the front foot with regards to meeting future environmental challenges.
• To provide a simple and efficient mechanism for communication between the Company and its key environmental stakeholders.
• To provide a platform to share views and assist Dŵr Cymru to proactively influence emergent environmental legislation and policy where issues of social, economic, and/or environmental benefits for Wales and/or the borders are identified.

Who's on the IEAP?

Members

• They represent the interests of their own organisations.
• They have areas of expertise and interest covering wide ranging aspects relevant to the management of the environment.
• Their input is needed in order to achieve the Panel’s objectives.
• They are willing to take proactive actions to fulfil the Panel’s purpose.
• They are able to give clear and impartial advice to Dŵr Cymru, in line with the purpose of the Panel.
• They are be able to influence others on behalf of Dŵr Cymru, on the matters that the Panel agrees to be necessary for securing a sustainable environment.

Observers

An individual or an organisation that has expertise of use to the IEAP and its Task and Finish groups. Observers are interested in the work of the IEAP and want to be kept informed, often having a commercial interest in the environment. They are not required to attend the IEAP’s meetings.

Dŵr Cymru

The company acts as an observer of the Panel and provides secretariat function to the IEAP.

Independent Chairman and the Deputies

The Independent Chair and the Deputies have been appointed by the majority vote of the Panel members.

The Chair is Mari Arthur, Director of Cynal Cymru.

The Deputy is Katie-Jo Luxton, Director, RSPB Cymru and Michael Christie, Professor of Environmental and Ecological Economics, Aberystwyth University.

Contact Details

For all enquiries with regard to the IEAP, please either contact members of the Panel directly, or e-mail IEAP@dwrcymru.com.